Hat for securing external hardware of a cochlear implant

Abstract

Hat has body of conforming material to cover at least a portion of a wearer's head and at least generally encircle the head about a forehead or upper crown, and a depending projection on at least one side having a lower boundary lower than a respective ear lobe of the wearer; an opposing pair of substantially wide under chin straps of conforming material attached to lower left and right boundaries of the body, the straps being fastened with a non-tying securing couple fixed to the under chin straps; and, in part of the depending projection a soft, conforming open mesh to cover the external hardware of the cochlear implant or a traditional hearing aid, and provide for securing of the same when worn by the wearer and for external visibility of the same by a non-wearer of the hat. The wearer may be a young child.

Description

[0001]This claims benefits under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. provisional No. 61 / 965,913 filed on Feb. 10, 2014 A.D. The specification of that application, of course, to include its drawings, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD AND PURVIEW OF THE INVENTION[0002]This concerns a hat for securing external hardware of a cochlear implant, notably of a child. Use of the hat to secure such hardware can also be of concern.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION[0003]Cochlear implants are some of the most marvelous medical devices offered by modern medicine. With such implants, which also may be known as “bionic ears,” people who could not hear are given hearing, and hope. This includes young children.[0004]Typically, the implant is made up of an implant package, which is secured inside or to the skull; and a sound and speech processor, which is worn externally, and which may be termed, “external hardware.” The implant package has a receiver-stimulator with necessary electronic circuits; ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0027]The type of hat forming a foundation for modification into the present hat may be considered to be an infant/toddler style hat. It may be provided with whimsical features such as soft cloth facial parts, stuffed horns, fleece pom-poms and so forth and the like to increase its aesthetic appeal, which may help to increase the desire to wear it. Other style hats may form a foundation for modification into the present hat. For example, a baseball cap or tennis type visor may be so modified.

[0028]Any suitable material(s) can be employed to make the present hat. For instance, a fleece material, advantageously a soft, light-weight, stretch fleece material, is a preferred mate...

Problems solved by technology

Difficulties can ensue in wearing the external hardware from sudden movements, falls or other impacts, which can disconnect the transmitter component from the antenna, and, especially predictable for small children at nearly any time or other persons during hours of sleeping or during a period of distraction, touching or removing the external hardware with a free hand.

In the case of small children in particular, who may gain access to a battery of the external hardware, removal and ingestion of a toxic battery may occur.

They are, however, of limited success, and problems continue and are even generated with their use.

For example, it is difficult to determine if the external hardware has become upset or is operating, and the external hardware, if not the wearer himself, can overheat, causing a possibility of technical failure of the implant, and the propensity of the wearer, partic...

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